Houthi Missile Attack on Cargo Ship Kills Three Crew Member

A Houthi missile attack on a cargo ship off the coast of southern Yemen on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of three crew members and injuries to at least four others, marking the first fatalities from the group’s attacks on merchant vessels.

The Barbados-flagged “True Confidence” was struck in the Gulf of Aden and subsequently abandoned by its crew due to a fire that erupted onboard. The US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed the casualties and condemned the attack, calling it “reckless” and disruptive to global trade.

The Houthis claimed the attack was carried out in support of the Palestinians in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. However, the US and the British embassy in Yemen strongly condemned the Houthis, with Centcom highlighting the attack’s impact on international trade and the loss of innocent lives, and the British embassy calling the deaths a “sad but inevitable consequence” of the Houthis’ actions and urging an end to the attacks.

The ship had a crew of 20, including Indian, Vietnamese, Filipino, Sri Lankan, and Nepalese nationals. Three armed guards were also on board. The attack occurred about 50 nautical miles off the Yemeni city of Aden. Following the attack, Houthi-controlled media reported airstrikes targeting a Red Sea port city controlled by the Houthis.

This incident raises concerns about the ongoing conflict in Yemen and its escalating impact on international shipping and civilian lives. It underscores the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and highlights the dangers posed by the Houthis’ actions to international trade and maritime safety.